Lincoln High School Student Firefighter Program

Add Feedback

Share |

More than 200 students are enrolled in the Student Firefighter Program at Lincoln High School in San Diego, California. Many students have said that the program has made an extremely positive impact on their lives.

"I used to be really shy, never really participated. Once I joined the program, physically, I lost a lot of weight. I used to have B's and C's and now I have A's," says Sophomore Kimberly Uzarrada.

Jorge Hernandez, Student Firefighter Program Coordinator, claims that two of the major changes he sees in his students are that they become more physically fit and drastically improve their grades. Hernandez also says that during lunch and after school, his classroom is packed. Other programs within Lincoln High struggle to retain students, while he has a problem sending his students home at the end of the day.

Junior participant Fabian Marquez explains, "There is a change in pretty much everybody that takes this class. People learn how to work in teams. We practice interview skills so it helps us our with things we might be doing in the future."

"It's a very fulfilling feeling to know that you took somebody that really had no direction, was kind of shy, to come out of their shell, be motivated and hard workers," says Fire Technology Instructor Oscar Hernandez.

Among those students who once had no direction but are now excelling, is Emilio Guida, who holds the record for the "Killer Drill" within the program. Emilio came into the Student Firefighter program as a Junior and a "jock", but was not sure about what he wanted to do as a career after high school.

After participating in the program, Guida has decided that he definitely wants to become a firefighter. "You can see I work hard. Just keep an eye out. I'm coming to pursue this career and work my hardest at it," he remarks.

After losing his house to a fire as a child, Emilio believes that firefighting is his life's purpose. Others in the class like Fabian Marquez, who maintains a 4.1 GPA, said they are considering a firefighter career, but mostly enjoy the hands-on learning the class is providing. Fabian adds, "It's fun getting involved in [activities like] repelling, raising ladders, search and rescue and dummy drag. It's just fun to do."

Students learn how to efficiently perform the same drills firefighters do, under their instructor and coordinator, Jorge Hernandez, who motivates them with his commanding demeanor. "The core values of the program are discipline, teamwork and communication," says Hernandez. "We realize that not everybody is gonna pursue a career in fire, but those elements are universal." 

Much of the equipment used in Lincoln High School's firefighter program has been donated or obtained through grants.  Many area firefighters generously donate their time to make the course a success.

To learn more about Lincoln High School's Student Firefighter Program, visit the Lincoln High School Center for Public Safety Website. 

Contributors to this story:
Deanne Goodman - Reporter
Ann Zevely - Camera/Editor
Renee Marquart - Text Story


Author:Deanne Goodman - Video, Renée Marquart - Text